Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar is located on the southern shore of Lake Tana from where excursion by boat can be made to the Lake’s islands and peninsulas as well as to the “TissIssat Falls” (the most spectacular waterfalls of the country). The Blue Nile River draws its strength from the large reservoir—Lake Tana—set at 1,830m above sea level. The Lake includes more than 30 islands and peninsulas, most of which are home to ancient monasteries decorated with wonderful wall paintings from the 12th to the 20th centuries. Among these multitudes of monasteries, some can only be visited by men.

Festivals

Christmas is also one of the biggest ceremonies which fall on 7 January.The celebration of Timket or Epiphany, on the 19 January is probably the biggest festival of the year. On the eve of Timket, with great ceremony the sacred tabot (the replica of the ark of the covenant) is taken from each church by the priests up to the central area where the ceremony twill take place.